The Supreme Court on Monday said a “practical and pragmatic” approach was needed to regulate firecrackers , stressing that religious sentiments should be respected while protecting public health.
The court was hearing a suo motu petition on the ban of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR . Parmeshwar also requested the court to allow the Centre to take a middle path.
Additional solicitor general (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, told the court that experts from CSIR -NEERI, PESO and CPCB have recommended green crackers with reduced emission. She said the petition against the use of firecrackers across the country was pending before another bench.
Last year, it allowed people to burst firecrackers on specified days and limited hours. Representing firecracker suppliers, senior advocates K Parmeshwar and J Sai Deepak urged the court to consider last year’s order for this year’s festive season to ensure firecrackers are available ahead of Dussehra and Diwali .
She urged the court to refer the matter to the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas. “It is nice to say that crackers should be burst for two hours. Cops cannot be there on every street. These restrictions do not play out on the ground.
In a separate pending on green crackers, the court in 2018 imposed the blanket ban on crackers containing barium and barium salts after scientific studies by CSIR-NEERI indicated that their ignition released pollutants harmful to respiratory health. Because of poor enforcement, senior advocate Aparajita Singh, assisting the court as amicus curiae , said limited hours allowed for bursting crackers had proved ineffective.
CAQM being an expert body can submit a report to the court,” the amicus said.
